By Isle of Wight Observer
Alan Jones, Chair of Sandown Community Association and Christine Jackson, Chair of Sandown Green Town Volunteers are very pleased to announce that Sandown will again be Blooming this Summer.
Christine said: “as we come out of lockdown and people are spending more time about the town they will notice that volunteers have been busy improving the colourful planters and troughs in Sandown.
“Sadly, because of Covid 19 and the need for social distancing, some plans have had to be deferred: namely the planters that were planned for the High Street and the Town Council’s plans for reintroducing hanging baskets. The good news is that South & South East in Bloom’s competitions are going ahead this year and again Sandown will be entering the small coastal town category.
“It will be a ‘desktop’ version so in July volunteers will be out and about photographing the best of Sandown in Bloom. The work of local residents and businesses is vital to our entry. Hopefully doing well will lead to Sandown being nominated as a Britain in Bloom finalist for 2021.
“Flowers and gardening are increasingly being appreciated as promoting good health. In a tourist resort it is vital to attracting and retaining visitors to the town and the floral exhibits are seen as life enhancing.
Christine concluded: “we know that the work that we do brings a smile to people’s faces.”
Alan reported that Sandown Community Association had been delighted to reintroduce Sandown in Bloom last year and had been looking forward to bumper entries this year. As with so many events the Corona virus put the 2020 competition in doubt. However, the Association had decided to go ahead with this much appreciated event. Many local businesses and residents have made a great effort in the weeks of lockdown to produce stunning floral displays and this is an opportunity to showcase them.
Entries should be from within Sandown boundaries and should be received by 7 th July 2020, (the closing date has been extended by a week). Details should be e-mailed to: sandownca@gmail.com or posted to Alan Jones, Chair, Sandown Community Association, 33 St. John’s Road, Sandown, PO36 8ES stating: your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number and category entered number.
Categories are:
1. Best shop window
2. Best business frontage
3. Best small front garden (under 3m.)
4. Best large front garden (over 3m.)
5. Best hotel/guest house frontage
6. Best care home frontage
7. Best initiative involving young people
Judging will take place in the last week of July 2020.
